Jaguar XK120 FHC – Rare factory right hand drive

Details

The Jaguar XK120 was launched in 1948 at the London Motor Show. It caused a sensation, which persuaded Jaguar founder and design boss William Lyons to put it into production. It was Jaguar’s first sports car since the SS 100, which ceased production in 1940. The “120” in its name referred to its 120 mph top speed, which made the XK120 the world’s fastest production car in its day. It was available in two open versions, first as the roadster (designated OTS, for open two-seater), then also as a drophead coupé (DHC) from 1953. The car was also available as a closed or fixed head coupé (FHC) from 1951.

We are delighted to offer a factory right hand drive 1953 Jaguar XK120 FHC, which is one of the rarest of all of the XK models with only 194 produced in right hand drive.

This car has travelled only 142 miles since a total nut and bolt restoration was completed. I could use every superlative from the Oxford dictionary to describe this car and I still don’t think I could do it justice . . . it truly is AMAZING!

This particular car was sold new in to the UK and has a fascinating history. You will see two photos of the car taken in the Isle of Mull in 1955, the car was then registered LOW 856. At the time the car was still in the possession of its original owner, a Doctor GH Barendt who lived in Southampton in England. These photographs were kindly provided to a subsequent owner with a letter when he was researching the history of the car back in 1980.

The car passed through a number of owners in the UK before a car dealer sent it to the USA around 1976. The car subsequently found its way to Australia in 1980. The car was soon to require some mechanical and body repairs and passed through a number of owners who had work done to the car. In the 1990’s a restoration commenced but was never completed. In 2001 a new owner sent the car to Peter Leech in Tasmania to complete the restoration. Apparently the owner had other projects that took priority and progress on the XK was slow. During his ownership the restoration was never completed and eventually the car was offered for sale partially restored.

The current owner purchased the car back in 2006 and has completed a fabulous restoration. The car was shipped to Mike Roddy in Melbourne who completed all of the mechanical work and improvements to the car before it was sent to Brisbane to have the body completed and the interior re-trimmed. This work was completed by David Marsh. No expense was spared on the restoration and tens of thousands of dollars were spent on new Jaguar parts purchased from Guy Broad in the UK. The restoration was completed some four years later and the car was registered on the 29th December 2010.

The owner has chosen a stunning colour combination, using a shade of cotswold blue for the exterior with a biscuit leather interior.

The car has been upgraded in a sensitive manner to ensure it is a more usable classic. These modification include:
– power assisted disc brakes added all round (from a Jaguar Mk IX)
– power steering added (the steering rack and pinion from a Jaguar XJS, the steering arms from a Jaguar Mk IX and the upper steering column assembly from a Jaguar XK140 or XK150)
– automatic gear box (Borg Warner 3 speed)
– modern air-conditioning
– upgraded cooling system, including a hand built aluminium radiator and electronic cooling fan

The original gear box accompanies the car which gives the new owner the option to maintain the current automatic transmission or revert to the original 4 speed manual. Additionally, the current owner chose not to fit the original wheel spats, however, these also come with the car.

Today the car presents as “better than new” and it would be equally at home stretching its legs on the open road or gracing the fields at a Concours d’Elegance!

This car is reluctantly offered for sale as a change in the owners circumstances have resulted in it not being used as it should be. Rather than let the car sit in the garage the owner has made the difficult decision to pass on custodianship of this wonderful car.

With over $200,000 invested in this car it represents an outstanding opportunity. It is available for immediate inspection in Brisbane, Australia.

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